Ignition System Upgrade - Ignition Tips For Superior Spark

Have you ever had a motor that just didn’t want to run right? Does your motor misfire, ping, stumble, or just feel gutless, and are you not really happy with the motor’s performance? Well, maybe your ignition system is to blame? If you can hear and see the spark from your plug wire end boots then it’s time to replace your wires. More often than not coil, cap, rotor, battery, spark plugs, and wires play a major part in making the motor run smoothly. Of course, if you have other mechanical issues then those need to be addressed first.

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When deciding on performance spark plug wires what do you look for?

First off, I have to look at what exhaust manifold I am running because that will play a major roll in what spark plug ends I will need. Usually if you have a very tight space then the 90-degree plug wires will work just fine, but in some cases the 180-degree (straight) or the 115-degree boots are the best choice. This is something that you will have to just look at how you want to route the wires and determine what works best for you.

The next option for the wires depends on what type distributor cap is on your distributor?

HEI or traditional style? An HEI distributor cap will look more like spark plug ends sticking up, and a traditional style distributor cap will have the connecting terminals inside the cap. When ordering a set of wires I usually like to steer more towards the universal fit, because all it takes is one wire not to fit and you’re out of luck.

What if I want my engine bay to look stock? Most stock wires are 7mm in diameter and the industry standard for performance wires are 8mm. 7mm wires will work fine in most stock to mild applications, but when you get into higher horsepower motors that need more spark energy there are things to consider. The 8mm Pertronix wires have the same core as the 7mm but offer a larger outer silicone insulator jacket. This allows better resistance to crossfire, white noise, and electrical leakage than the 7mm wires.

Speaking of spark, do you still have a points-style set ignition in your distributor? Although points still work great, Pertronix Performance Products has something to cure your points adjusting frustration. A simple screw-in electronic module can be installed easily in a few minutes, and for you guys that love that stock look Pertronix makes an application for just about any distributor. And if they don’t have it they can make it in their machine shop.